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Huge Beirut rally demands change Huge Beirut rally demands change
(about 5 hours later)
Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies have held a mass rally in Beirut to protest against Lebanon's government.Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies have held a mass rally in Beirut to protest against Lebanon's government.
Amid tight security, demonstrators chanted slogans denouncing Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. As night fell, several thousand set up tents outside PM Fouad Siniora's office for an open-ended sit-in.
The opposition says it will keep up the pressure until the government resigns.The opposition says it will keep up the pressure until the government resigns.
The protest follows weeks of rising tension in Lebanon, with the killing of a leading anti-Syrian politician and resignations from the cabinet.The protest follows weeks of rising tension in Lebanon, with the killing of a leading anti-Syrian politician and resignations from the cabinet.
Protest campProtest camp
The huge crowd turned central Beirut into a sea of red and white Lebanese flags.The huge crowd turned central Beirut into a sea of red and white Lebanese flags.
Hezbollah leaders had asked people not to wave the yellow flag of their movement, which features a fist holding a Kalashnikov rifle.Hezbollah leaders had asked people not to wave the yellow flag of their movement, which features a fist holding a Kalashnikov rifle.
We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Send us your comments Lebanon crisis explained The noisy but peaceful crowd filled Riad Solh Square, in front of Mr Siniora's office, says the BBC's Simon Wilson in Beirut. We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Send us your comments Lebanon crisis explained
The noisy but peaceful crowd filled Riad Solh Square, in front of Mr Siniora's office, says the BBC's Simon Wilson in Beirut.
Mr Siniora and some of his ministers were inside, just metres away, and will have heard the deafening music and speeches, our correspondent says.Mr Siniora and some of his ministers were inside, just metres away, and will have heard the deafening music and speeches, our correspondent says.
The army and police mounted a large security operation, closing off the prime minister's office and other key buildings with barbed wire and armoured vehicles.The army and police mounted a large security operation, closing off the prime minister's office and other key buildings with barbed wire and armoured vehicles.
As night fell, the main protest broke up but many people were setting up a camp outside Mr Siniora's office, saying they would stay until the government resigned.
'Attempted coup''Attempted coup'
During the afternoon, the huge crowd listened to Hezbollah songs and speeches.During the afternoon, the huge crowd listened to Hezbollah songs and speeches.
Lebanese troops were placed at key government buildingsPolice estimated its size at 800,000 people, but Hezbollah claimed it was larger, the Associated Press news agency said.Lebanese troops were placed at key government buildingsPolice estimated its size at 800,000 people, but Hezbollah claimed it was larger, the Associated Press news agency said.
Speaking from behind a bullet-proof glass screen, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun told the cheering crowd that the current government was unconstitutional and should resign.Speaking from behind a bullet-proof glass screen, Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun told the cheering crowd that the current government was unconstitutional and should resign.
He said they had "made corruption a daily affair".He said they had "made corruption a daily affair".
Mr Siniora's government has vowed to stand firm against what he has called an attempted coup.Mr Siniora's government has vowed to stand firm against what he has called an attempted coup.
"Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," he said on Thursday."Lebanon's independence is threatened and its democratic system is in danger," he said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman Tom Casey expressed concern, saying "Hezbollah and its allies, with support from Syria and the Iranian government, are continuing to work to destabilize Lebanon".
US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton called the Hezbollah demonstration "part of the Iran-Syria inspired coup".
Under Lebanon's constitution, the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it.Under Lebanon's constitution, the death or resignation of another two ministers will automatically topple it.
'Syrian troops''Syrian troops'
Hezbollah has been demanding a bigger share in the cabinet that would give it the power to veto government decisions.Hezbollah has been demanding a bigger share in the cabinet that would give it the power to veto government decisions.
Mr Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government would failThe government came to office last year in the first election held after the withdrawal of Syrian troops originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war.Mr Siniora warned any attempt to topple his government would failThe government came to office last year in the first election held after the withdrawal of Syrian troops originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war.
Syria was forced to withdraw its military presence after massive street protests and international pressure, triggered by the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.Syria was forced to withdraw its military presence after massive street protests and international pressure, triggered by the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
A UN investigation has implicated several Syrian officials in the killing, although Syria has denied any involvement.A UN investigation has implicated several Syrian officials in the killing, although Syria has denied any involvement.
The government in Beirut has also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel.The government in Beirut has also accused Damascus of ordering the assassination on 21 November of anti-Syrian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel.